Update: 1/14/24
Reference: Passwords
It is absolutely CRITIAL that you PROTECT your Home WiFi Router !!
Your Home WiFi Router is the entry-way into your Personal Home Network.
Here are a few steps to take in "securing" your Home Wifi Network:
1 - Change your Username & Password for your Router.
Hackers know the DEFAULT Usernames and Passwords for ANY WiFi Router that is SOLD, so it's IMPERITIVE that you CHANGE IMMEDIATELY "BOTH" the Username and Password, once you setup your Router.
2 - Disable "SSID Broadcasting".
This will NOT broadcast a wireless signal (radio waves) through the Air.
3 - Use WPA2 or WPA3 Wireless Encryption ONLY !!
Do NOT Use WEP or WPA) - They have been "cracked" by hackers already!
4 - Enable "MAC-Filtering" in your Router, to ONLY ALLOW those you want to connect to your Wireless Home Network".
5 - Change your Private IP Address in your Router!
6 - Keep your "Firmware" on your Router always updated.
7 - Close ANY "un-needed", "un-used" or "Insecure" Ports!
An open router port is the term used to refer to a virtual door allowing specific data in or out of your router. One example of a port is the most popular port 80. Port 80 is used for HTTP or Web traffic. If port 80 is closed outbound for your computer, then you would not be able to get to the Internet. Think of a port as a door. And the door has rules that let people through one way, both ways or prohibits them from passing through.
TCP and UDP Ports
As you know every computer or device on the Internet must have a unique number assigned to it called the IP address. This IP address is used to recognize your particular computer out of the millions of other computers connected to the Internet. When information is sent over the Internet to your computer how does your computer accept that information? It accepts that information by using TCP or UDP ports.
NOTE: Choosing WHICH Ports to keep Open or Closed if vital to the "Security" of your Internal Home Network.
You must log into your Router Configuration Settings through your Browser to find out which ports are opened or closed. Check your Router Manual for the IP Address needed and Username/Password to log into your router config page, unless you already know that information.
BE CAREFUL when modifying ANY router settings, as if may adversely affect your
home network or Internet connectivity. You MUST know what you're doing when changing ANYTHING within your router.
If you're NOT SURE, please consult with an IT Guru or professional to help you "understand" these settings.
Here are a List of "Common" Router Ports (TCP/UDP):
21 - FTP
22 - SSH
25 - SMTP
23 - TELNET
53 - DNS
67/68 - DHCP
80 - HTTP
110 - POP
143 - TCP/UDP
161/162 - SNMP
443 - HTTP over TLS/SSL
465 - SMTPS
For a FULL list of Router Ports - CLICK HERE